Chapter 64, The Three Lights

  "Pei Yuanshao, can you not understand the current situation? Alright, I'll tell you. The Yellow Turbans are now in a precarious state, the situation is worrying, Wan City is about to fall, Zhao Hong has been killed, and Bo Cai is trapped outside Tiger Trap Pass. Even if it's Ji Province, the situation is unfavorable. Do you think our commander still has the leisure to be carefree here?" Xu Feng glared at Pei Yuanshao with a look of extreme anger.

  "Report, Ji Zhou urgent report." Just then, a fast horse flew in from afar, the soldier on the horse ran and shouted while approaching Xu Feng, hastily dismounting and running two steps to stand before him.

  "Speak."

  "However, a few days ago, General Niu was besieging the Governor of Xiliang, Dong Zhuo, at Yangping Mountain when he fell for Liu Bei's trick and was beheaded by Guan Yu with one slash of his sword."

  "Hiss." Not only Xu Feng, but all the soldiers around him also took a cold breath, shocked by this news. Who is Zhang Liang? The General of Benevolence, the brother of the Master, and can be said to be the second-in-command of the entire Yellow Turban Army, an existence that stands above millions of people, in this era where hierarchy is clear and faith is respected, Zhang Liang's position in the hearts of the Yellow Turban disciples is only slightly lower than that of Zhang Jiao.

  Everyone looked at Xu Feng and shouted in unison: "General..."

  "Gentlemen, I am as grieved as you are. General Ren has fallen at the hands of Guan Yu. Rest assured, this vendetta will not be shared with others. I, Xu Feng, will avenge him sooner or later. However, the current situation is unfavorable for our Yellow Turbans. It is precisely the moment when we should unite and work together with one heart. Although we have just eliminated Huangfu Song and others, there are still many of our brothers in arms who are under the sword of the government army, their lives hanging by a thread. Brothers, for the sake of our Lord, for the sake of our Taiping Teachings, I have decided to launch a surprise attack on Tiger Trap Pass tonight, rescue General Bo, and gather all our forces to rescue our brothers in Wan City."

  "Everyone listen to Commander Xu's orders." The crowd looked at Xu Feng with genuine admiration, and his commands were still taken very seriously.

  "Alright, let the whole army rest and regroup. Two hours later, once Tian Wei and the others return, we will immediately launch an attack on Hu Lao."

  Xu Feng was hesitant, as both Yangzhai and Wan City were equally distant from his location. He initially wanted to send two large armies to rescue them simultaneously, but he was also worried that the others might not be able to succeed. Wan City had a strong defense with cavalry commander Cao Cao and General Huang Zhong, among others, who were well-prepared and skilled in battle. If Xu Feng went to Tiger Trap Pass himself, it would be difficult for others to have an opportunity to make a move. After all, Tiger Trap Pass was known as the most impregnable pass under heaven, easy to defend but hard to attack. Moreover, the imperial court had also sent Colonel Chunyu Qiong with troops to assist in the battle. Although Chunyu Qiong was not a capable person, he still had many men under his command. If they were lucky enough to capture Tiger Trap Pass, it would be just in time to block the imperial court's reinforcements and create an opportunity to rescue Wan City. They could also take advantage of the situation to intimidate the capital city of Luoyang and make Emperor Ling wary, not daring to act rashly. This was a plan that could kill two birds with one stone.

  "It's all because of Commander Pei Yuanshao's incompetence." Seeing Xu Feng's gloomy face and unfavorable expression, Pei Yuanshao pounded his chest and stamped his feet, feeling quite self-reproachful in his heart. He very much wanted Xu Feng to severely reprimand him, otherwise he would never be able to let it go.

  "Alright, since you're not satisfied, I'll give you a chance. Lead 500 elite soldiers with me to the Guo residence."

  "Why go to the Guo residence?" Pei Yuanshao was puzzled for a moment.

  "Less nonsense, bring people and follow me, time is running out. If it's late, it will be too late." Xu Feng said, ignoring Pei Yuanshao, flipped over and got on the black horse, patted the horse and swung his whip, rushing to the Guo Mansion at a gallop.

  "What are you still dazing about? Follow me." Seeing Xu Feng leave, Pei Yuanshao hastily summoned the 500 soldiers and closely followed after him.

  Guo Jia was standing outside the Guo family's gate, gently swaying a feather fan. His clothes fluttered in the wind, matching his handsome face, and he looked carefree and elegant. When Xu Feng arrived on horseback, he was slightly taken aback and asked, "Brother Guo, are you waiting for me?"

  "General Xu, tonight we can let Jia watch a good show. The plan is to use the enemy's plan against them, set up an ambush and kill Huangfu Song, annihilate 30,000 of the imperial court's elite soldiers. After this battle, I'm afraid General Xu's name will be known throughout the world." Guo Jia said with a smile, shaking his feather fan.

  A loud sound of horseshoes and armor, Pei Yuanshao led five hundred soldiers to charge over, looking at the Yellow Turbans who were swift and fierce, Guo Jia smiled slightly "General, is this move to protect the Guo family or to destroy the Guo family?"

  "Why ask when you already know?" Seeing Guo Jia's relaxed expression, Xu Feng knew that the other had guessed his intention. He immediately turned around and waved his hand, "Capture Guo Tu and Guo An alive. If any family members resist, kill them all."

  "Yes." Pei Yuanshao responded with a cold face, suddenly enlightened, and led the soldiers behind him to dismount and rush into the Guo family compound.

  "Seeing General's anxious expression, isn't General going to leave?" Guo Jia asked, carefully sizing up Xu Feng with a glance.

  "Yes, the Yellow Turbans are a worrying situation, and I don't have time to linger here either. Originally, I wanted to share a drink with Brother Guo and engage in a long conversation, but it seems that's not possible now." Xu Feng sighed.

  "Hehe, General, don't be so worried, we'll definitely have another chance to meet again, right? The general isn't someone who gives up easily, is he?" Guo said with a smile.

  "A tree that stands out in the forest will be felled by the wind. Haha, with the Yellow Turbans' great momentum, it's expected that we'll face jealousy and resentment from others. But as long as I, Xu Feng, am here, anyone who wants to eradicate the Yellow Turbans will find it difficult to ascend to heaven!" Xu Feng let out a deep breath, gazing up at the sky with a smile. Seeing Xu Feng suddenly exude confidence and grandeur, with a hint of arrogance in his eyes, even Guo Jia was moved. Xu Feng truly lives up to his reputation as a hero of the current era.

  Fierce and decisive, confident and optimistic, understanding of the political situation, well-versed in strategy, winning people's hearts, gathering capable generals. Such a person, even if they fall into a humble position, will eventually rise to power again, soaring to great heights.

  "Ah..." Just as the two were speaking, a series of mournful and shrill cries echoed from within the Guo residence. The voices rose and fell, growing more chaotic and intense by the second. Xu Feng hastily bowed to Guo Jia and forced a smile. "Please, Brother Guo, explain this to your esteemed family head on my behalf. Guo Tu colluded with the enemy and led the government troops into the city. If we don't mete out punishment, I fear it will implicate the entire Guo household. As I said before, I want to protect the Guo family, but this is an unavoidable measure."

  Guo Jia nodded slightly, understanding in his heart that in the eyes of the imperial court, it was clear that the Guo family had colluded with the Yellow Turbans and conspired to kill Huangfu Song and others. Xu Feng's punishment of Guo Tu was a way to leave an escape route for the Guo family, so they would not be implicated by the imperial court.

  "Go...hurry up." Before long, Pei Yuanshao and others pushed and shoved Guo Tu and Guo An out of the Guo house.

  "Brother Guo, we part ways today, I don't know when we'll meet again, take care." With that, Xu Feng turned around and mounted his warhorse.

  "General, Jia already has a courtesy name. From now on, just call me Fengxiao." Guo's family hurriedly said as they saw Xu Feng was about to leave.

  "Haha, I'm exactly sixteen this year and haven't been given a courtesy name yet. Everyone calls me Xu San Guang, and since my family has no father or mother, it's not like I have a courtesy name to begin with. Let's just call me San Guang then! You can address me as San Guang from now on, farewell." Xu Feng laughed loudly and turned his horse around, the sound of horseshoes ringing out as he gradually disappeared into the night sky.

  "Xu Feng, San Guang, you dare to use your evil nickname as a courtesy name. Under the heavens, who else but you? It seems that you are destined to go against heaven's will." Looking in the direction where Xu Feng had gone, Guo Jia muttered to himself. After a long while, a glint of light flashed at the corner of Guo Jia's eyes, and his wrist suddenly tightened, "Only someone like you, a heroic outlaw, is worthy of being noticed by Gong Sun Zan."